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Australian activists detained in Israel have reported enduring what they call “degrading and humiliating treatment” after their arrest aboard a humanitarian convoy carrying aid to Gaza.

One detainee, Surya McEwen, stated he was struck and suffered a shoulder injury and had his head forced into the ground.

Health Worries and Prison Environment

A second activist, Juliet Lamont, voiced grave concern about her health, stating she was at danger of a medical emergency after her daily medication were seized by authorities.

She described the prison environment as “oppressive” and added that her request for more medication had not been met.

The two activists are among a group of Aussies verified by Australian officials to have been taken into custody in Israel.

Authorities stated they are providing support to the individuals, including through in-person visits.

Allegations of Unsafe Facilities

They are being held in a high-security prison in the Negev desert and assert that they and fellow inmates were given water that was undrinkable due to a foul odor.

McEwen informed consular staff that he had been held in a enclosure with dozens of individuals without food or water, while being exposed to abuse from Israeli officials.

Lamont stated that upon arriving the detention center, she was escorted to a room with other women and insulted by guards, who called them “terrorists”.

Interception and Handling Information

The care worker, aged 40, and the documentary film-maker, in her fifties, were detained on last week when their vessels were intercepted by the Israeli navy.

They were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla comprising 42 vessels and more than 450 people, including parliamentarians, legal experts, and campaigners.

Australian representatives met with the detained Australians on the following day.

Based on a account reviewed by media outlets, McEwen described “abusive and insulting behavior” after being transferred to the port of Ashdod.

He stated that his spirits was low due to sleep deprivation techniques and threatening conduct from detention staff.

Relatives Worries and Medical Problems

His mother, Jacinta, a healthcare professional, said she had been calling authorities for regular information and was concerned about the “intense” conditions her son was facing.

“I am concerned about his dislocated shoulder, head injury, and lack of medical attention,” she stated.

She believed her son’s deportation was being delayed because he refused to sign a form acknowledging he had breached immigration laws.

The flotilla maintains it was illegally intercepted by the Israeli navy in open sea.

McEwen also told officials that Israeli soldiers had torn up pages of his passport because it was electronically embedded.

Both activists threw their mobile devices into the sea before their capture.

Differences in Arrest Experiences

Although he said his arrest on board the Mia Mia was executed with minimal force, she – travelling on a separate boat – recounted a “demeaning” experience.

Lamont alleged her hands were bound behind her back, she was sprayed with a water cannon, and was left to sit in an unventilated area with her hands restrained and clothes drenched for seven hours.

During this time, she said her head was repeatedly shoved down by officials.

Prison Conditions and Health Impact

Both are being detained in Ketziot prison, which is primarily used to detain Palestinian prisoners, many of whom authorities alleges of involvement in militant or terrorist activities.

After Australian officials visited her, they noted she was “deeply upset”, crying multiple times during the meeting.

The parent was reported as feeling dehydrated, weak, lightheaded, and disoriented.

Lamont said a guard had informed her that water from taps was contaminated, and she believed her lack of fluids was exacerbating her hypertension.

On the day of her arrest, after her prescription was taken, she explained a doctor – after checking her blood pressure – had given her one dose of drugs.

But after representatives saw her, they noted she was feeling lethargic, disoriented, and tired, and concerned she was at danger of stroke.

Her request to see a doctor again had gone unanswered.

Global and Family Responses

A representative for the activist group expressed concern that her acquaintance was at danger of dying without necessary drugs.

The mother of another detained Australian, Bianca Webb-Pullman, stated she had received a call from Australian officials giving a verbal account of their visit to Ketziot prison.

She reported that her daughter had been subjected to abuse, humiliation, threats, and was man-handled and pushed.

She was also left in a courtyard in the heat for several hours with no protection, food or water.

She further described a tap with unclean liquid, meaning she had consumed minimal fluids in an extended period.

Official Responses

Dfat responded to inquiries with a message that said the authorities had “made clear to Israel our expectation that detainees will receive humane treatment in line with international norms”.

“We again urge Israel to allow continuous, unrestricted humanitarian aid to reach Gaza,” the announcement continued.

Sources reached out to detention authorities, the military, the Israeli ministry for foreign affairs, and the diplomatic mission, but none replied to a query.